Recently, EA’s Frank Gibeau made statements about his company’s focus on only releasing games with some sort of multiplayer or online component. While Gibeau spoke up to clarify that statement, he isn’t the only person to be saying such things recently.

Today, it’s Insomniac Games. In an interview with GameSpot, Ted Price—CEO for the developer of popular franchises like Ratchet & Clank and Resistance—noted that his company is past the point of working on games that only contain a single-player focus.

“I can’t imagine that any game we’d do from here on out will be single-player-only,” Price told GameSpot. “The [game industry] has changed. As gamers, we have always been social, but thanks to the way technology has evolved, it’s much easier for us to play together. And it’s much easier for developers to create experiences where you can play together. So we want to encourage that with all of our games because ultimately, in my opinion, it’s often more fun to play with a friend.”

Price went on to say that Insomniac’s next game—Fuse—will show that single-player modes are still an important part of games. However, Fuse will be just as much about multiplayer as it is that single-player portion.

“I love single-player games but I also love multiplayer games, and I think that Fuse offers you the opportunity to do both without having to skimp on either side,” Price said.

Of course, for some, it’s got to be hard hearing worlds like these from Insomniac, given that the developer made its name on rich single-player adventures such as Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank. Sure, integrating a multiplayer mode doesn’t mean that the game’s single-player portion will be neglected or tainted—but one also has to worry about the trend of saying that single-player games need to have a multiplayer component to keep them relevant.

About Mollie L Patterson

Mollie got her start in games media via the crazy world of gaming fanzines, and now works at EGM with the goal of covering all of the weird Japanese and niche releases that nobody else on staff cares about. She’s active in the gaming community on a personal level, and an outspoken voice on topics such as equality in gaming, consumer rights, and good UI. Find her on Twitter @mollipen.

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Insomniac Can’t Imagine Making Any More Single-Player Only Games

Recently, EA's Frank Gibeau made statements about his company's focus on only releasing games with some sort of multiplayer or online component. While Gibeau spoke up to clarify that statement, he isn't the only person to be saying such things recently.

Recently, EA’s Frank Gibeau made statements about his company’s focus on only releasing games with some sort of multiplayer or online component. While Gibeau spoke up to clarify that statement, he isn’t the only person to be saying such things recently.

Today, it’s Insomniac Games. In an interview with GameSpot, Ted Price—CEO for the developer of popular franchises like Ratchet & Clank and Resistance—noted that his company is past the point of working on games that only contain a single-player focus.

“I can’t imagine that any game we’d do from here on out will be single-player-only,” Price told GameSpot. “The [game industry] has changed. As gamers, we have always been social, but thanks to the way technology has evolved, it’s much easier for us to play together. And it’s much easier for developers to create experiences where you can play together. So we want to encourage that with all of our games because ultimately, in my opinion, it’s often more fun to play with a friend.”

Price went on to say that Insomniac’s next game—Fuse—will show that single-player modes are still an important part of games. However, Fuse will be just as much about multiplayer as it is that single-player portion.

“I love single-player games but I also love multiplayer games, and I think that Fuse offers you the opportunity to do both without having to skimp on either side,” Price said.

Of course, for some, it’s got to be hard hearing worlds like these from Insomniac, given that the developer made its name on rich single-player adventures such as Spyro the Dragon and Ratchet & Clank. Sure, integrating a multiplayer mode doesn’t mean that the game’s single-player portion will be neglected or tainted—but one also has to worry about the trend of saying that single-player games need to have a multiplayer component to keep them relevant.

About Mollie L Patterson

Mollie got her start in games media via the crazy world of gaming fanzines, and now works at EGM with the goal of covering all of the weird Japanese and niche releases that nobody else on staff cares about. She’s active in the gaming community on a personal level, and an outspoken voice on topics such as equality in gaming, consumer rights, and good UI. Find her on Twitter @mollipen.